Samsung has announced that it is beginning production of a 46-inch transparent LCD panel this month, expanding in a sector that is set to boom over the next decade.

Samsung has announced that it is beginning production of a 46-inch transparent LCD panel this month, expanding in a sector that is set to boom over the next decade.

“Transparent panels, an exciting application of next-generation display technology, have unlimited potential to change our viewing habits over the next several years,” said Younghwan Park, SVP of LCD marketing at Samsung's Device Solutions division. “As a strong supporter of the transparent display market, Samsung plans to develop this technology into a new growth engine for our LCD business.”

That growth could come from a 47.8 trillion won ($41.8 billion) investment the company plans to make in expanding its operations this year. Samsung is one of the top manufacturers of LCD panels in the world, but clearly it does not intend to rest on its laurels in this area, where transparent LCDs will likely become the norm in the next few years.

The 46-inch panel features a contrast ratio of 4,500:1 with a resolution of 1,366×768 and a colour gamut of 70 percent.

The display is not limited in its application either. Samsung demonstrated its use in a commercial cooler and as a subway platform door, while promising that it will also be used in e-boards, information windows, medical equipment, e-signage and mobile devices.

Samsung previously created a 22-inch transparent LCD panel, which offers high-definition images and low power consumption. Bigger is always better, however, and this larger size will be particularly appealing to businesses who want to make animated advertising on doors and windows.

Research firm Display Bank expects the transparent display market to grow fom $0.9 billion in 2015 to $87 billion in 2025, making Samsung's expansion in this area a potentially very profitable and forward-looking move.